Nuggets struggle defending Clippers’ low post in loss

Kenneth Faried can rebound Rodman-ly and slam in traffic like it’s a dunk contest, but his man-to-mean defense, alas, is still a work-in-process.

Such was the case on Thursday at Pepsi Center, when Blake Griffin had his way with Faried and the Denver low-post. Yes, Blake Griffin is Blake Griffin. But it was a clinic – Blake finished with 25 points in 29 minutes, going 10-for-13 from the field, while also snatching 11 rebounds, four offensive (oh, the Nuggets lost the game, 106-94, to go 3-3 on the preseason. Denver’s final preseason game is Friday at Phoenix).

Faried finished minus-15 on the night and center Kosta Koufos was minus-9. Both guys did gobble 10 boards each on the night, sure enough 10 total offensive rebounds. But
The Nuggets “lost” each of the first three quarters and were never really in the game.

Andre Iguodala had another tough shooting night, but another good passing night. He was 4-for-13 from the field (11 points) but had seven assists. Corey Brewer led Denver with 15 points.

The team looked lost on defense everywhere. I started to feel sorry for George and then remembered – he gets paid a lot to watch awful basketball. I suffer without compensation. This does not look like a team ready to open the season but one that needs another training camp.

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Iguodala looks like he has a lot to learn with his new team, particularly about not shooting his sorry mid range jump shots. Plus he might hold back on his whining after every foul called against him. Gallo’s game in the pre-season looks like it’s slipped rather than improved. Who’s going to score on this team? Who can shoot? Chandler?

Chris Dempsey arrived at The Denver Post in Dec. 2003 after seven years at the Boulder Daily Camera, where he primarily covered the University of Colorado football and men's basketball teams. A University of Colorado-Boulder alumnus, Dempsey covers the Nuggets and also chips in on college sports.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times.